Chapter 37

My heart goes out to the small business owners and their unfortunate losses. While walking among the debris, I ask Trent, “Do you think I can help these people and their town?”

We stand beside two fallen palms on the corners of Estenbaugh and Roman. Trent’s Nikon hangs around his neck, just above his bare and suntanned navel. He looks at me with a dramatic earnestness and asks, “What do you mean?”

I point to a number of destroyed businesses and say, “I’m not very good with tools. In fact, I can’t tell you the difference between a hammer and a screwdriver, but I do have some cash to help out.”

“You don’t even know these people. Why would you want to do that?”

“Do I have to know them? And why wouldn’t I want to help? We are all survivors. Edwin has really done some damage. And by the looks of it, these businesses need some help. I can do that.”

“You’d give away your hard-earned cash to these people?”

“I would, without even thinking about it.”